Work continues in updating county records

At the June 7 Hot Springs County Commissioners meeting, commissioner Phil Scheel was not present, therefore chairman Tom Ryan suspended the normal Robert’s Rules.

First to present was Brian Clarkson of T-O Engineers to give the Geographic Information System (GIS) update over speakerphone. In the report, they met with the commissioners on May 17 for a work session to demonstrate the GIS web applications created in 2021/2022 and they discussed the direction for their services in the following year. They also provided a scope of work for the county that would occur in 2022/2023.

Additionally, T-O Engineers met with county planner Bo Bowman on May 24 to discuss land-use change and septic permit files. They also scanned and began processing land-use change documents dating back to 2006. The scanning of septic permit documents dated back to 2011. They also began designing the permit GIS database.

Work has continued in mapping county road easement and right-of-way descriptions to link to historical documents for Road and Bridge Department application. 

Regarding anticipated work for the next period, Clarkson said they will provide Bowman with training materials for the land-use change application. Scanning of septic permits and land-use change documents will continue. This data will begin processing and uploading documents to cloud storage. They will also begin building the septic permit database.

Dusty Spomer, of T-O Engineers, was in-person to discuss the Black Mountain Road reconstruction project contract for $1,039,842.92. The commissioners voted and passed the approval of the contract for professional services and for the additional work order #1. The commissioners also voted to approve the ratification of the emergency situation on Black Mountain Road. There is fear the culvert involved would wash away and make the area not accessible, especially since the county has had a wet spring. The commissioners commented that the issue was pressing and there wasn’t a timeframe to be able to do a normal bid procedure. 

Spomer also informed the commissioners that he and a grant writer want to seek funds to pay for the emergency culvert situation and wanted permission to begin applying. The commissioners voted and gave permission to apply for grants. 

Nate Messenger gave the FBO report and said there were 136 total recorded operations at the county airport. Included in that number, there were four air ambulances and six overnight aircraft, and two requests for a hangar.

Regarding fuel sales, they sold 929.98 gallons of Avgas and 2,631.82 gallons of jet fuel ($5.57 per gallon). Messenger said, “Wyoming DEQ was out to do a compliance inspection of our fuel tanks and paperwork. They found no violations.” Messenger added he started mowing areas when it was dry. Additionally, Messenger said, “It will be about $700 to retrofit our parking lot lights to LED.”

The commissioners also voted and approved renewing the county’s contract with Messenger through his company Owl Creek Aviation for another two years. Messenger will continue to provide his management services. The commissioners also accepted the compliance inspection report.

Shane Rankin provided the Road and Bridge report and said that they had a busy month. Due to the moisture, there was some erosion on Buffalo Creek Road. There was some discussion about why this has happened now and not later. Rankin explained that the slide of the earth is bentonite and that material absorbs water differently than other materials. There was further discussion on possible solutions. 

Rankin continued and said they are blading roads as necessary. They will monitor high water flows, and that patching has been completed in the county. Rankin added that he is coordinating with T-O Engineers with the Black Mountain Road emergency.

Rankin then presented the Wyoming Rural Road Safety Program Crash Report, which showed zero fatalities. Rankin also said he wanted to put in for a grant through the Wyoming Railroad Safety Program to get some guardrails installed on Missouri Flat. The grant is $100,000 with a 9.51% match.

Rankin presented an approach agreement request from Steve Fesch on County Road #25. The commissioners vote and passed approval for the request.

Les Culliton gave the maintenance report and presented the re-roof change order #2 for decking replacement for $34,960. The commissioners voted and passed the approval of the change order. Culliton continued and said for the courthouse the circulating pump for the cooling tower has been completed. The commissioners also voted and passed approval on the change order #1 for $5,837.

Regarding the detention center’s generator, Culliton worked with Jadeco on the size of the unit, which is currently 75kw, but it may need to be larger. For the cell plumbing update, the engineers involved estimate it will cost from $175,000 to $235,000. Also, the failed compressor on air handling unit 1, its replacement, is on order.

For the Extension 4 H property the upstairs A/C, the manufacturer mismatched the condenser and evaporative. A replacement condenser is on order.

At the county library, the motor in the air handling unit has a bearing that is failing. At the county museum, the sump pump system, the unit was the incorrect voltage. A replacement unit will be shipped as soon as available.

Regarding the fairgrounds and the fair building re-roof project, QC10 is working on a scheduling pre-construction meeting.

Culliton’s last item was about a pine tree at the counseling office that needs to be removed on the east side of the building because it is in contact with a fence and may cause damage.

Tricia McPhie of Public Health and Prevention presented a series of contracts and grants seeking the commissioners’ approval. The commissioners voted and passed the approval of the CHO/PHRP Support contract for $9,600; the Crisis Cooperative Agreement - contingent supplemental funding for funds up to $100,000; the Prevention Grant, including the Work Plan Change Notification Form and the Work Plan / Budget Review; and finally the MCH-PHN Contract for $28,500.

Bo Bowman gave the county planner report and said the Natural Resources Planning Committee (NRPC) held a special meeting on May 25 where they held its formal public hearing on the draft 2022 Natural Resources Management Plan. The advertised 30-day public review period expired three days later, on May 28. Bowman said no written comments from the public have been received, and there were no members of the public present at the May 25 meeting to make oral comments.

Bowman added, “The NRPC was unable to make a motion recommending approval of the draft Plan, and it was understood by all present that the matter would proceed to the County Commissioners without a recommendation.”

Regarding the Land-Use Planning Committee (LUPC) there will be a meeting on June 15 where the Red Rim Ranch application will be un-tabled. Public comments on the matter have already been closed and the committee will go through the checklists to determine what action to take. The committee will decide to recommend or not recommend the applicant to the county commissioners.

Bowman gave a septic permit update and said that last year there were 12 applications. Two systems have been completed, however, supply chain problems have hindered progress on the remaining sites. 

The commissioners voted and passed approval on the Natural Resources Plan. 

Bill Gordon gave the emergency management report and said that on June 8 at the Fire Hall there would be a meeting to discuss the unlikely event of Boysen Dam collapsing. The discussion would cover what needs to be done within the first few minutes of notification.

Also, Gordon said there will be regular monthly siren demos on the first Saturday of the month at 12 noon. This will begin on July 2. 

Sheriff Jerimie Kraushaar presented a request for funds for a recent accident where a county deputy’s vehicle struck another vehicle while exiting the hospital parking lot. Kraushaar explained that the deductible for this incident is $10,000 and that the victim’s vehicle is not worth that amount. In other cases, when a county vehicle is in an accident, the deductible is $5,000. However, due to this situation, a law enforcement vehicle has a $10,000 deductible. Chairman Tom Ryan said that they would pay this fee using emergency repair use funds. 

In other business, the commissioners were told that there were no applications for the Land Use Planning Board and the Travel and Tourism Board openings.

The commissioners discussed the election judges’ compensation. Commissioner Jack Baird moved that the compensation will be $12 per hour with training. The head judge will receive $180 and the other judges will receive $160. The commissioners voted and approved the new compensations. 

The commissioners found no objection to the Copper View No. 1 Well Permit Application for Matt and Linda Hughes.

The commissioners voted and approved their signature to be placed on the Memorandum of Understanding between Wyoming Pathways and Hot Springs County.

The commissioners voted and approved the HSG Master Plan RFR #17 for $5,107.69.